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Council approves boathouse on Woodland Drive after neighbor objections and a roof change
Summary
Council approved a conditional use permit for a boathouse at N 27 W 27074 Woodland Drive after the applicant agreed to lower the roof pitch (reducing peak height to roughly 13.5 feet); neighbors cited blocked lake views and urged limits despite staff saying the proposal is under the 450 sq ft maximum and subject to floodplain rules.
The council approved a conditional use permit Feb. 2 for a new boathouse at N 27 W 27074 Woodland Drive after the applicant agreed to reduce the roof pitch and staff said the structure will meet setback and floodplain conditions.
Nick (city staff, S9) described the proposal as roughly 294 square feet with a 15-foot height and fiber-cement siding to match the home. He said part of the boathouse sits within the floodplain and must comply with section 207-13b of the city's floodplain zoning ordinance. Staff recommended approval with conditions tied to floodplain compliance.
Neighbor Jim Marlin (S10) urged the council to reject or limit the project, saying it would "restrict the view of my lake" and questioned why maximum sizes were used. "Do you want the lake to be one solid wall of buildings?" he asked, saying he has lived nearby for 40 years and wanted limits so sightlines are preserved.
Applicant Brian Bouts (S11) told the council the boathouse is not the maximum allowed and that he would lower the roof pitch from a 6/12 to a 4/12, which contractors estimated would drop the height to about 13.5 feet. He said he would also remove a 15-foot-diameter patio and that the foundation would be located where the patio now sits, which staff said reduces floodplain impact.
Council members noted the proposal is under the city's 450-square-foot maximum for boathouses, with a 15-foot height limit normally allowed, and discussed whether to include the reduced pitch in the motion. The maker of the motion (S2) moved to approve the conditional use permit and leave staff to follow up on the design changes; a second (S8) followed. Staff said it would verify the lowered height when the building permit is submitted. The motion carried by voice vote.
The council did not attach other design limits beyond the floodplain and setback conditions; neighbors asked that the city consider greater scrutiny to avoid shoreline overdevelopment. The conditional use permit approval is conditioned on compliance with floodplain rules and standard permitting review.
